Media reports say that possibly dozens of tornadoes that occurred from the South and the Midwest into the Northeast of the United States killed at least 32 people.

The Associated Press (AP) reported on April 2 that residents across a wide swath of the U.S. raced yesterday to assess the destruction from fierce storms. 

The storms reportedly tore a path through the Arkansas capital and also collapsed the roof of a packed concert venue in Illinois, stunning people throughout the region with the scope of the damage.

The number of deaths continued to grow Sunday.

"While we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we know families across America are mourning the loss of loved ones, desperately waiting for news of others fighting for their lives, and sorting through the rubble of their homes and businesses," US President Joe Biden said in a statement.

President Biden earlier declared broad areas of the country major disaster areas, making federal resources and financial aid available for recovery.

According to the AP, confirmed or suspected tornadoes in 11 states destroyed homes and businesses, splintered trees and laid waste to neighborhoods.

It may take days to confirm all the recent tornadoes. The dead reportedly included at least nine in one Tennessee County, five in Indiana and four in Illinois.

Other deaths from the storms that hit Friday night into Saturday were reported in Alabama and Mississippi.